"When I Reached Hospital, Mom Was...": Ashwin On 'Medical Emergency'

Lying in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a Chennai hospital, Chitra Ravichandran was slipping in and out of consciousness but she had just one query for her son Ravichandran Ashwin when she saw him by her bedside -- "Why did you come?" Hours after becoming only the second Indian bowler after Anil Kumble to take 500 Test wickets, Ashwin rushed back to his home in Chennai during the third game against England in Rajkot after coming to know that his mother had been hospitalised following a blackout.

"When I landed and got to the hospital, my mom was slipping in and out of consciousness, and the first thing she asked me was, 'Why did you come?' The next time she was conscious, she said, "I think you should go back because the Test match is happening," Ashwin told 'ESPNCricinfo' on the eve of his 100th Test.

The off-spinner emotionally recalled how his parents Ravichandran and Chitra worked their "backsides off" to help him realise their collective cricketing dream.

"The entire family is built on cricket and to facilitate my career. It hasn't been easy. It has been very hard on them. It's been a big roller-coaster for them - going through the emotions and ups and downs that I myself do," the 37-year-old said.

Ashwin, at times, did feel that the sport meant more to his family than him.

"I am in the second half of my thirties and my dad still watches a game like he would watch my first international game. It means a lot to them. Compared to what it means to them, it definitely means less to me.

"They have eliminated anything that comes in the way of my cricket. That has been the sole purpose of their lives ever since I can remember," he said.

Ashwin's father is an avid cricket-watcher and the former club cricketer is present even at the most nondescript grounds to watch TNCA first division league.

"It was as if I was living the dream my dad wanted to achieve. Imagine somebody wanted to become a cricketer (but doesn't). He gets married, he has a son.

"And he wants to live the dream through his son, and he does everything from teaching me, to taking notes from my classmates, to taking me to private tuitions to make sure I play the maximum possible amount of cricket while still finishing my education.

"And this lady (mother) coming from some other hamlet says, 'I support you because you couldn't become a cricketer. Let's support our son to become a cricketer. Let's work our backsides off'. And the father-in-law supports it, and then the sister-in-law supports it."

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/mom-said-from-hospital-bed-you-should-go-back-as-test-match-is-on-ashwin-5186942

Ex-India Coach Suggests Two Huge Changes To Playing XI For Dharamsala Test

Former Indian cricket team coach Sanjay Bangar believes that Devdutt Padikkal can make his debut during the fifth Test match against England in Dharamsala on Thursday. Rajat Patidar has failed to impress in the past couple of matches and in a recent interaction, Bangar said that the team management can bring in Padikkal considering the fact that India have already won the series. He also suggested that Kuldeep Yadav should make way for Jasprit Bumrah who will get a lot of help from the pitch.

“It will be slightly cold and there will be a little seam movement because of the altitude at which the ground is located. Because of that, there will be one condition-based change. Jasprit Bumrah can return in place of Kuldeep Yadav. So India will play with three fast bowlers - (Mohammed) Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep,” said Bangar during a discussion on Star Sports.

“Because Rajat (Patidar) hasn't scored runs in three Test matches, you can see a new debutant there. The Indian team can give a chance to Devdutt Padikkal. So two changes according to me," he added.

Test cricket will see two players featuring in their 100th game together for only the fourth time when India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and England batter Jonny Bairstow take the field.

The first such occasion was when former England captain Michael Atherton and Alec Stewart reached the landmark against the West Indies at Old Trafford back in 2000.

The second instance involved three players as South Africa's Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock and Stephen Fleming played their 100th Test in the South Africa-New Zealand game in Centurion in 2006.

The third was Alastair Cook and Michael Clarke in the England-Australia Ashes contest in Perth in 2013.

Ashwin and Bairstow will be representing their respective teams in the fifth and final Test here from Thursday.

It will also mark only the second occasion when two players from the opposing teams will be playing their 100th Test in the same game.

(With PTI inputs)

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/ex-india-coach-suggests-two-huge-changes-to-playing-xi-for-dharamsala-test-5182920

Tendulkar's Intriguing Ranji Trophy Remark Amid Ishan, Iyer Contract Saga

The legendary Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday said playing in the Ranji Trophy provides national players an opportunity to go back to basics while also elevating the level of the domestic tournament. The BCCI recently made it mandatory for its centrally contracted players to play domestic red-ball cricket if they aren't on national duty or in the NCA. The BCCI excluded Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from its central contract list after they missed their state team's respective Ranji Trophy games. "When India players turn up for their domestic teams, it raises the quality of play for youngsters and sometimes new talent is identified.

"It also gives the national players a chance to sometimes rediscover the basics," Tendulkar posted on X.

"Throughout my career, I remained passionate about playing for Mumbai whenever I had the opportunity. Growing up, we had almost 7-8 India players in our dressing room, and it was fun to play alongside them," Tendulkar added.

The Ranji Trophy semi-finals have been riveting! @MumbaiCricAssoc's march into the finals was aided by a brilliant batting recovery, while the other semi-final hangs in the balance going into the last day - Madhya Pradesh need 90+ runs to win, Vidarbha need 4 wickets.…

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 5, 2024

The 25-year-old Kishan did not turn up for Jharkhand throughout the team's campaign in Ranji Trophy despite not being on national duty after leaving the tour of South Africa in December citing personal reasons. He instead focused on preparing for the IPL for his franchise Mumbai Indians.

Iyer, on the other hand, did not make himself available for Mumbai's Ranji quarterfinal against Baroda after being excluded from the Indian team after the second Test against England. He, however, played Mumbai's Ranji semifinal against Tamil Nadu.

Tendulkar feels the participation of star Indian players turning out for their state teams will also generate more interest in domestic tournaments.

"With top notch players participating in domestic tournaments, over a period of time, fans will also start following and supporting their domestic teams much more. Wonderful to see @BCCI give equal priority to domestic cricket." Mumbai have qualified for their 48th Ranji Trophy final. The 41-time champions will take on either Vidarbha or Madhya Pradesh, who are engaged in a thrilling semifinal, in the summit clash.

"The Ranji Trophy semi-finals have been riveting! @MumbaiCricAssoc's march into the finals was aided by a brilliant batting recovery, while the other semi-final hangs in the balance going into the last day - Madhya Pradesh need 90 runs to win, Vidarbha need 4 wickets," Tendulkar added.

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/on-bccis-push-for-domestic-cricket-sachin-tendulkars-equal-priority-verdict-5182921

Rohit And Co To Get Slow Turner At Dharamsala? Report Provides Big Update

The pitch for the fifth Test match between India and England in Dharamsala starting Thursday is expected to be a slow turner, according to a report by Indian Express. The report claimed that unseasonal rainfall has prevented the ground staff from working on the surface and the curators are expected to have a discussion with the Indian team management regarding the type of pitch that will be ultimately prepared. The Indian spinners have played a major role in ensuring the series win for the hosts and the pitch at Dharamsala is expected to be a slow turner once again with ample support for Rohit Sharma and Co.

Meanwhile, Test cricket will see two players featuring in their 100th game together for only the fourth time when India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and England batter Jonny Bairstow take the field.

The first such occasion was when former England captain Michael Atherton and Alec Stewart reached the landmark against the West Indies at Old Trafford back in 2000.

The second instance involved three players as South Africa's Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock and Stephen Fleming played their 100th Test in the South Africa-New Zealand game in Centurion in 2006.

The third was Alastair Cook and Michael Clarke in the England-Australia Ashes contest in Perth in 2013.

Ashwin and Bairstow will be representing their respective teams in the fifth and final Test here from Thursday.

It will also mark only the second occasion when two players from the opposing teams will be playing their 100th Test in the same game.

Just a day after the India-England game begins, New Zealand captain Tim Southee and his predecessor Kane Williamson will play their 100th Test together.

(With PTI inputs)

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/rohit-sharma-and-co-to-get-slow-turner-at-dharamsala-report-provides-big-update-5181446

"What's SRH Thinking?" After Captain's Sacking, T20 WC Winner's Question

Mumbai Indians is not the only team that will see a new skipper in the IPL 2024. After Hardik Pandya replaced Rohit Sharma as the new MI skipper, now SunRisers Hyderabad will be playing under a new captain too.  Australia's World Cup-winning skipper Pat Cummins was on Monday named captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad for the upcoming Indian Premier League, becoming the fourth player to be handed the responsibility in the last three years.

The 30-year-old pacer was bought by SRH for a whopping Rs 20.50 crore in the IPL auctions in December last year, making him the second-costliest player in the event's history. He replaced South African Aiden Markram, who led SRH in the 2023 season.

Talking about the change in captaincy, Irfan Pathan, a member of India's T20 World Cup-winning team in 2007, raised some important questions.

"When you talk about leadership, you wouldn't want to think beyond Cummins ideally. Australia just won the World Cup under him; he's performed really well in the last one and a half years. But the problem is that Cummins will look nice overall. However, when it comes to T20 leadership, there's nothing. His performance isn't the greatest in T20 cricket and his IPL numbers aren't decent either," Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports.

"So there will be a challenge. What is SRH thinking? They've made a big move here. If Cummins is made captain, what about Markram? You gave him captaincy just for one year, so wouldn't you want to back him? That is a big question."

Pathan also felt that the inclusion of Pat Cummins means they have to re-think their playing XI.  "If they both play, [Wanindu] Hasaranga will struggle to make his place in the team. Even Marco Jansen could sit out because there are too many overseas players. So there are a lot of issues. SRH need to figure out what they have to do because even Klaasen is an overseas player. And I want personally that Hasaranga becomes part of that Playing XI. Forget leadership, how will Cummins perform as a bowler? That remains to be seen," Pathan said.

With PTI inputs

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/whats-srh-thinking-after-another-ipl-captain-sacking-t20-world-cup-winner-raises-question-5176700

Dasun Shanaka Guides Sri Lanka To Dramatic Win Over Bangladesh In 1st T20I

Dasun Shanaka held his nerve under pressure to take two wickets in the final over, snatching a dramatic three-run win for Sri Lanka in the opening Twenty20 international of a three-match series against Bangladesh in Sylhet on Monday. Set a target of 207 runs, lower middle-order batsman Jaker Ali took Bangladesh close with his maiden fifty before Shanaka ended his 34-ball innings of 68 with the third ball of the last over. Shoriful Islam hit a four from the next ball, leaving Bangladesh requiring six from their last two balls.

But the hosts could manage only two runs to be restricted to 203-8, with Shanaka, who also dismissed Rishad Hossain in the first ball of the final over, finishing with 2-36.

Former skipper Angelo Mathews claimed 2-17 to inflict some early damage on the Bangladesh innings before veteran Mahmudullah Riyad struck 54 off 31 balls to revive the hopes of the home side.

Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Mendis earlier slammed a fifty each to guide Sri Lanka to 206-3 after Bangladesh sent them in.

Samarawickrama struck an unbeaten 61 off 48 balls after Mendis hit 59 off 36 balls as the visitors overcame a slow start to put up an imposing total.

Stand-in skipper Charith Asalanka played his part with an unbeaten 44 from 21 balls.

Mendis and Samarawickrama shared 96 runs for the third wicket after Sri Lanka lost their first two wickets for 37 runs.

Shoriful removed Avishka Fernando for four with the second ball of the innings before Taskin Ahmed had Kamindu Mendis caught by Soumya Sarkar at midwicket for 19.

Mendis hit leg-spinner Rishad for a four and two sixes off consecutive balls to race to his fifty off 27 balls.

Rishad returned for his next spell to exact revenge as Mahmudullah took a well-judged catch at long off boundary to end the innings of Mendis.

Asalanka joined Samarawickrama to continue the assault, adding 73 for the unbroken fourth wicket, including 24 runs from the last over of the innings bowled by Mustafizur Rahman.

The series marks the start of Sri Lanka's month-long tour of Bangladesh, which also includes three one-day internationals and two Tests.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/dasun-shanaka-guides-sri-lanka-to-dramatic-win-over-bangladesh-in-1st-t20i-5176741

"What Else Is He Playing?": Ex-IND Star On Ishan Kishan Ahead Of IPL 2024

For Ishan Kishan, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 will be an acid Test. The whole controversy over his reluctance to play domestic cricket that resulted in the termination of his BCCI contract, has made Ishan Kishan a hot topic in Indian cricket. Till recently he was one of the first choice wicketkeeper-batters, but now Ishan Kishan has a tough road ahead of him. The IPL might give him a shot at redemption. He has been training with MI skipper Hardik Pandya in Baroda and recently played at the DY Patil T20 Cup too. 

Former India opener Aakash Chopra feels that Ishan Kishan should grab this opportunity with both hands. 

"Ishan Kishan must be hungry. He has not got any central contract. This is the only thing he is playing. What else is he playing - either he has himself refused to play or he will not be picked. This is his chance. If you make runs here, then you will have the opportunity to go further," Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel. 

"Of course there is a pitch like that of Wankhede. That will help him. The ball will come on to the bat. Ishan Kishan-Rohit Sharma could be that third opening pair which can do good in IPL 2024."

While there was no official reason given on why Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were dropped, one line in BCCI's release gives a strong hint. "The BCCI has recommended that all athletes give precedence to participating in domestic cricket during periods when they are not representing the national team," the BCCI stated.

When Ishan Kishan had left India's Tour of South Africa, the BCCI had said on December 17: "Mr Ishan Kishan has requested the BCCI to be released from the upcoming Test series against South Africa citing personal reasons. The wicket-keeper has subsequently been withdrawn from the Test squad."

While it was expected that Ishan Kishan would play domestic cricket from his time away from the national team, the wicketkeeper-batter chose to remain absent from his state team Jharkhand's Ranji Trophy matches. Despite Indian cricket team coach Rahul Dravid clearly mentioning that he need to play some form of cricket to regain his place in the Indian squad, Ishan Kishan ignored the instruction.

Shreyas Iyer also excused himself from one of the Ranji Trophy matches for Mumbai due to injury. However, NCA's report on his injury was contradictory, according to a report in Indian express.

Now, in a report by ESPN Cricinfo, it has been claimed that Ishan Kishan was contacted by the Indian cricket team management during the ongoing India vs England Test series. The reports added that Kishan replied that he was not ready yet. In his absence, Dhruv Jurel got the opportunity and won the Player of the Match award.

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/what-else-is-he-playing-ex-india-star-on-ishan-kishan-ahead-of-ipl-2024-5169886

Nathan Lyon Spins Australia To Victory Over New Zealand In First Test

Nathan Lyon spun Australia to a 172-run win over New Zealand in the first Test on Sunday, taking six wickets as the hosts collapsed to 196 all out. The home side crumbled on the fourth morning in Wellington, losing their last seven wickets for 70 runs, with four of them falling to off-spinner Lyon. He finished with innings figures of 6-65 off 27 overs, giving him 10-108 for the match. The 36-year-old capitalised on spin-friendly Basin Reserve conditions and some meek batting from New Zealand, who began the day on 111-3 and needing 258 more runs to secure an unlikely victory.

The capitulation began in the seventh over of the day when Lyon claimed the key wicket of Rachin Ravindra for 59.

Ravindra had only added three to his overnight score when he failed to keep a cut shot down and was caught by Cameron Green at point.

Tom Blundell was caught in close by Travis Head without scoring in the same over and Glenn Phillips was trapped leg before by Lyon for one soon afterwards, to expose the tail.

Scott Kuggeleijn struck 26 off 28 balls before he failed to control a short ball from Green to be caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey and Matt Henry fell for 14, caught at slip by Steve Smith off Josh Hazlewood.

Tim Southee became Lyon's sixth victim before Daryl Mitchell was the last wicket to fall, for 38, caught and bowled by Hazlewood.

Green was named man of the match for his career-high unbeaten 174 in the first innings.

No one else made three figures in a challenging Test for batsmen as Green rescued Australia from 89-4, having been put into bat, to reach 383 and set up a 204-run first-innings lead.

The second and final Test starts in the Christchurch on Friday.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/nathan-lyon-spins-australia-to-victory-over-new-zealand-in-first-test-5166372

England Legend Delivers Brutal Verdict On Bazball

England will aim to end the five-match series against India on a high as the fifth match is slated to be played from March 7 in Dharamshala. The Rohit Sharma and co gained an unassailable lead 3-1 lead after registering a thumping five-wicket victory in the fourth Test in Ranchi. Chasing 192, India lost some five wickets with 120 runs on the board but the unbeaten partnership between Shubman Gill (52*) and Dhruv Jurel (39*) took the hosts across the line.

Ahead of the fifth Test, former England opener Geoffrey Boycott picked up an "error" made by Ben Stokes during India's chase in the fourth match. 

“I like Stokes's captaincy but I thought he made a big error by opening the bowling with two spinners, Root and Tom Hartley. Stokes was thinking that a harder new ball would bounce more and a raised seam would create more spin," Geoffrey wrote in his column for The Telegraph.

“The problem is that unless you are experienced at bowling spin with a new ball then the lacquer makes it slip out of the fingers so it is difficult to drop it on a length. When I played, spinners could rub the ball in the dirt to rough it up and grip it better but that is banned now so it is hard for them to control. I think Stokes out-thought himself,” he added.

“Bazball has given Test cricket a shot in the arm and England deserves praise for that. At times, I love it. But I love winning more and England has failed to beat the best two teams in the world: Australia and now India,” he further wrote.

Geoffrey further stated that the low contribution from the batters is the reason why England lost the match and the series. 

“Chasing small totals in the last innings of a Test match has historically proved difficult for many teams because the pitch is usually worn and playing tricks," stated the England great. 

"Early wickets are a priceless bonus but it is also imperative the bowlers tie the batsmen down to build pressure on the batting team. The game and series were lost by the batsmen,” he added. 

The fifth and final Test of the five-match series will kick-start from March 7 in Dharamshala. 

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/i-love-it-but-england-legend-delivers-brutal-verdict-on-bazball-5148718

New Zealand vs Australia 1st Test Day 4 Live Score Updates

NZ vs AUS 1st Test Day 4 Live Updates: New Zealand need 258 runs more to win the game while Australia need seven wickets. Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell will be resuming on their respective scores of 56 and 12 on Sunday. New Zealand have already lost the wickets of Tom Latham, Will Young and Kane Williamson in the chase of 369 runs against Australia at Basin Reserve, Wellington. (Live Scorecard)

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/new-zealand-vs-australia-1st-test-day-4-live-score-updates-nz-vs-aus-live-5164876